Speaking of paying for things, this formerly conservative guy is in favor of an across-the-board tax hike. It would be progressive, so the poor would be least affected in percentage, as is the American custom. It would not raise tax rates to pre-Bush levels for the middle class, and it might be seen as a mere token increase at some brackets, but I think the federal deficit is something all Americans must come to grips with and be willing to make sacrifices in order to bring us back into balance and (hopefully) into surplusses.
Quit dancing around the topic, quit ignoring it, both sides. Tackle the deficit head-on, and taxes are a piece of it.
Then there's the matter of the budget. I'm not in favor of cutting government services, but I would certainly appreciate a renewed vigor for identifying and eliminating waste. I would like to see a decrease in "military industrial complex" spending. While we should certainly be available for humanitarian causes with our military, it's time to let the world otherwise solve its own problems. If they want our help, let them come begging, and out in the open.
It's time to throw off the shackles of the American political system of politicians being beholden to their corporate donors (or, as in the case of elected Republicans, themselves). I would love to see the American media expose these liars and hypocrites for what they are at every turn. Senator So-And-So came out today against some-such-provision, and it's worth noting that among the Senator's largest contributors are companies whose profits may be impacted. These corporations are seldom about protecting American jobs or serving the interests of their American customers, so screw them all, and call politicians to the carpet for allowing the continued degredation of the lower and middle class.
Stand up for American families, stand up for good common sense.
Not to rant, or anything.
